Description
Quinta do Noval Magnum Collection - Limited edition | only 120 Produced and only 6 for the UK market.
2011 | 2016 | 2018
Quinta do Noval, one of the most prestigious Port houses in the Douro Valley, produces Vintage Ports only in exceptional years, selecting the finest grapes from their historic vineyards. The 2011, 2016, and 2018 vintages are among the most celebrated in recent years, each offering a unique expression of the terroir and winemaking expertise of Noval.
Winemaking & Terroir
All three vintages are made from Quinta do Noval’s estate-grown grapes, sourced from the heart of the Douro Valley, specifically Vale de Mendiz. The wines are crafted from a blend of traditional Douro grape varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, and Sousão.
The winemaking process follows Quinta do Noval’s traditional approach:
Foot-treading in stone lagares, ensuring gentle yet thorough extraction of tannins and flavors.
Fermentation with natural yeasts, maintaining the purity and intensity of the fruit.
Ageing in large oak vats before bottling, preserving the structure and aging potential of each vintage.
Vintage Comparisons & Tasting Notes
2011 Vintage Port
Overview: One of the most outstanding Port vintages of the century, 2011 produced wines of exceptional power, concentration, and balance. Quinta do Noval’s 2011 Vintage Port is a benchmark for longevity and complexity.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep inky purple with youthful vibrancy.
Aroma: Intense notes of blackberries, cassis, dark cherries, and violets, interwoven with hints of spice, dark chocolate, and graphite.
Palate: Full-bodied, with firm yet polished tannins and exceptional depth. The fruit is bold and fresh, balanced by vibrant acidity and structured for long-term aging.
Finish: Long, layered, and complex, promising decades of evolution in the bottle.
Aging Potential: 40+ years. A wine to cellar for the future.
2016 Vintage Port
Overview: The 2016 vintage was characterized by a balanced growing season with cool nights and a long ripening period, resulting in exceptional freshness, structure, and purity. Considered one of the greatest Port vintages of the 21st century.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep purple-black, with brilliant intensity.
Aroma: Highly expressive, with floral and herbal notes complementing dark fruit aromas of black plums, blueberries, and wild cherries, alongside hints of licorice, cocoa, and crushed violets.
Palate: Elegant yet powerful, with silky tannins and a remarkable sense of freshness. The acidity is perfectly integrated, highlighting the purity of fruit and ensuring great aging potential.
Finish: Seamless and persistent, with incredible precision and finesse.
Aging Potential: 30-50 years. It can be enjoyed young for its vibrant fruit, but it will reward long-term aging.
2018 Vintage Port
Overview: The 2018 vintage saw an unusual growing season, with a hot and dry summer followed by perfectly timed rains in September, leading to intensely concentrated yet balanced wines. This is a powerful and structured vintage with great longevity.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Almost opaque purple, displaying deep concentration.
Aroma: Rich and intense, dominated by black fruits, ripe figs, dark chocolate, and exotic spices, with underlying notes of cedar and mint.
Palate: Dense and powerful, with firm tannins and a core of blackberry, plum, and cassis, complemented by spice and tobacco nuances.
Finish: Bold and structured, with a lasting impression of depth and complexity.
Aging Potential: 40+ years. Built for long-term cellaring, with immense promise for future development.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
Best served at 16-18°C.
Decanting is recommended, especially for younger vintages, to fully express their aromatics.
Pairs beautifully with blue cheese (Stilton, Gorgonzola), dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and rich desserts. Also excellent with a cigar for an indulgent experience.
Final Thoughts
Each of these vintages represents the pinnacle of Quinta do Noval’s winemaking and the unique character of their respective years. While the 2011 is a powerhouse built for long-term aging, the 2016 stands out for its elegance and freshness, and the 2018 promises a future of profound depth and complexity.
For collectors and connoisseurs, these wines are an investment in time and tradition, destined to evolve beautifully for decades.